News You Can Use - December 4, 2023

The #NewYouCanUse is an article series where I share important reminders of what is going on in the world and how it affects women, underrepresented professionals, male allies, and the business we do in financial services and financial technology.

You are always welcome to add articles, thoughts, and meet new people through these discussions. Please be kind to one another when differences of opinions occur. It happens and helps us all think differently.

Here are this today's finds:

1?? The Tipping Point for Tips via Rethinking65

Not gonna lie... I was really curious where the author was going with their tip about tips. And I felt very 'seen' with this comment: "A survey published in June by the financial website Bankrate found that two-thirds of Americans had a negative view of tipping, while about one-third felt that tipping culture was 'out of control.'" Where's the lie in it? I'm really curious what financial advisors are saying about tipping, how financial coaches tell clients to plan for all the tips that are expected now, and if anyone else is aggravated that you can't tip at most of the salon's now on your credit card during your visit. Instead, the hair dresser, nail tech, etc. has to use a private Venmo or Cash app for you to get the tip paid.

2?? 2024 Money Lessons via FA Magazine

If Dr. Daniel Crosby, Ph.D. writes an article, it's a guarantee I'm gonna read. Period. I can't site everything in the article, otherwise I'd just be copying it here verbatim (seriously - go read it) but #2 and #3 are issues Linda Wittich and I are tackling in the Females and Finance Community via our new Building Y.O.U.? Program we are rolling out January 1, 2024 (shameless plug allowed - it's my article ??.) We believe in supporting the the full human being part of who you are so you go on to fulfill your greatness, which is the human doing part of your work. He doesn't need my validation, but Dr. Crosby is amazing!

3?? Press 0 for Assistance via Glassdoor

If you're a financial advisor and worried about AI - then you need to check out this report. "Trend 8. Can I just talk to a person? The proliferation of Generative AI will make it easier to access information and increase productivity for some workers in the long-term, but they will also increase the premium on human peer-to-peer interaction." Read that again: You charge for your services and you stop discounting! Why? YOU ARE PREMIUM, BABY!!

4?? Consumer Banking Trends by Morning Consult

Two things here I want you to pay attention to: 1 - Financial well-being is on the upswing. (Except Millennials. They broke. Queue up the Financial Coaches like Laura Lonie and Clare Dubé, CFSW ) And, 2 - Investment managers must embrace digital. (If you were at the Fearless Investing Summit by Nitrogen - Aaron Klein very politely reminded everyone that they are a GROWTH firm for advisors because...A gap in online engagement with wealth and investment accounts is creating missed growth opportunities.)

5?? Get Happy by Empower

The first word that comes to mind when people think about financial happiness is freedom, followed by security and relief, according to the 2,034?U.S. adults Empower surveyed. And again for the financial advisors what did they find out? Advice is a top factor in determining financial happiness: More than half (52%) know what their financial goal is but feel they don’t know how to get there.

6?? Resizing Videos Just Got Easier by Canva

I'm simply AMAZED at how easy DIY marketing has become. And, we are a big supporter of woman CEO-powered Canva and all the magic they've created. At $13/month, you can't beat it. You literally can resize a video for Instagram in just seconds by using Canva's online video resizer tool. I know. I've done it! cc: Niki Clark, FPQP?

7?? Ideas on Making Your Life Better by Korra-Shay Richards

This 2020 article seems more timely for 2024. From getting more sleep, organizing your home and work, and everything in between, she covers excellent reminders on ways to get your act together. (And, aren't we all trying to do that each year?) Plan your resolutions accordingly, friends.

So, you're up.

Who has thoughts to share?

What are your opinions?

Where can we make the biggest change happen first?

When can we expect something to be different?

How can we get started?

Why should others care about this stuff going on?

I work on these kinds of matters and more in the Females and Finance Community and welcome thought leaders who are in or serve the professionals of financial services and financial technology to reach out, join, and let's build a better landscape of professionals.

Stay well, friends.

Sheryl Hickerson

CEO & Founder - Females and Finance